#StarWarsSmugglersBounty Review: September 2016

Let's be honest: July's JABBA's PALACE was a massive disappointment. I mean galactic-sized. To be honest, it's been a uneven couple of months for Funko, with the awful YEAR ONE but a really good Marvel Collector Corps. It was time for some good news, and with September's DEATH STAR, we feel the Force returning to protect us, with a strong outing of Funko, a great shirt, and a memorable accessory.
Before diving in, let's review the details:

The cost for a Month to Month is $25 (plus S/H), or $150 (plus S/H) for a one-year subscription.

You get one box every other month, with SB promising $50 in value and no fluff.

If you choose the Smuggler membership (yearly), you are promised an additional gift on your anniversary. Guess which one we chose.

Again, this month's theme is THE DEATH STAR, showing off the might of The Galactic Empire before succumbing to a cheap shot by some dirt farmer. Ok, I like The Rebellion and all, but it's The Empire, man!Anyways, check out our unboxing below and we'll meet you on the back end to share some thoughts:

Winners
This box contains 100% awesome. Everything here is high quality and its timing with the theme is excellent. Let's start with the pin/patch set of a Episode IV Stormtrooper and Darth Vader. As you can see, the pin did not make it into the bag, but no damage there. The Vader patch is terrific, as it looks like they borrowed the image from one of the Return of the Jedi posters. Colors and scale on both are very good, which Funko seems to have dialed in with all of their pin/patch sets across the various boxes. Whoever is being contracted to produce these, please keep them on for 2017! The shirt is one of the best we've ever gotten from this line, as the boxing-themed confrontation between Vader and Ben Kenobi is...impressive. Most impressive!
Then we get to the two Funko figures. To be honest, I think the inclusion of Grand Moff Tarkin here is ballsy, because not a lot of potential buyers are going to know about the Death Star COO, even though we've also gotten a very good novel about him. But it pays off big time, with the sculpt and color looking excellent. Vader is also well-represented, looking as menacing as ever. Both of these are exclusives, and to be honest I like this one more than the previously released version. It's a superior sculpt, with Vader reaching out to Force choke your ass, while wielding the lightsaber just in case. These are not going to eBay any time soon, and could become my faves of the line.
Funko hasn't had a lot of consistency with its accessories; but this time, we get a far-superior Death Star luggage tag. Yes, a luggage tag! That bad boy's gonna look good on my carry-on or my office bag, because it's too awesome to place under the plane. I know some might not get it, but if you bitched about having two SW hats and two mugs, this is a far better item that I think has tons of value.
Losers
Nothing. Not a thing. Enough said.
A Welcomed Course Adjustment

Sometimes a product can get lost in its own success (see iPhone 7), forgetting its core audience and failing to deliver on its promises. Not this month: Smuggler's Bounty returns to galactic awesome with one of the best boxes from this line, and perhaps one of the best Funko boxes ever. From the outset, it's clear the company might have learned its lesson and actually listened to consumer rage. Whether this is a temporary change back to positive or not, we'll have to wait until November's ROGUE ONE theme, which promises to deliver something potentially special (Death Troopers, anyone?). For now, count this box as a serious winner, and evidence that SB does listen to its customers.
Want to read our other sub box reviews? We've got them all listed below:
MARVEL COLLECTOR CORPSMayJuneAugustOctoberDecemberFebruaryAprilJuneDC LEGION REVIEWSMayJulySeptemberSMUGGLER'S BOUNTYJanuary
MarchMayJuneJuly
Discuss this review with fellow SJF fans on Facebook. On Twitter, follow us at @SandwichJohnFilms, and follow author Matt Cummings at @mfc90125.

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